The Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS), in collaboration with the World Bank and the United Nations (UN), held a workshop on “Official Statistics and Related Legislation in Times of Change” at Taumeasina Island Resort on Tuesday 2nd July 2024. The workshop brought together users and producers of statistics to discuss the importance of official statistics and upcoming amendments to statistical legislation.
The Honourable Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo, Minister of Statistics stated in her keynote address, “the legislative review is a crucial component of the Bureau’s planned efforts within the Samoa Statistics Strategy 2022-2026”. She highlighted that “legal reform includes accessing the administrative data that are available within the different Government agencies to ensure that the Bureau continues to produce high-quality, timely, and relevant statistics that meet society’s evolving needs”.
The UNSD Inter-regional Adviser, Mr Gabriel Gamez, stressed the importance of the stakeholders’ collective efforts in shaping a robust and modern national statistical system. He said, “Official statistics are the bedrock of informed decision-making and policy formulation as they provide a reliable foundation for evaluating the effectiveness of government programs, allocating resources, and measuring progress toward national and international development goals”. He further stated that updating the statistical legislation will facilitate the integration of new data sources, improve governance, and maintain the highest standards of data confidentiality and professional independence.
The UNSD remains committed to supporting this vital initiative, working together with SBS to modernize Samoa’s national statistical system to ensure that the statistical framework serves the needs of all Samoans, driving evidence-based policymaking and fostering sustainable development.
SBS as the co-ordinator of the national statistical system (NSS) is continuously engaging with partners and stakeholders such as Government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector to produce trusted and valued official statistics which can inform policy and decision making for the benefit of Samoa.
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SOURCE – Samoa Bureau of Statistics
Photos by Government of Samoa (Leaosa Faaifo Faaifo)
